Leak resistant and serviceable receptacle

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a receptacle for conveying fluid. The receptacle may include a main body, a valve seat body, a poppet, a spring retainer, spring, and a packing. The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the main body. The valve seat body may include: a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The first end portion may include a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The valve seat body may include a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner void. The plurality of second inner surfaces may include one or more arced surfaces and one or more flats. The packing may be disposed in the inner annular groove.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/262,694, filed on Dec. 3, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to a low emission receptacle forreceiving a fluid such as liquid natural gas (LNG) or compressed naturalgas (CNG) from a nozzle. The fluid may be at cryogenic temperatures.

BACKGROUND

Receptacles are designed to receive fluid from nozzles. One example of areceptacle is a car gasoline port. One example of a nozzle is a gasolinedispenser at a gas station. Some fluids, such as liquid natural gas(LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG) are transferred via specializednozzles and receptacles.

LNG may be stored in liquid form at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., −150degrees C. or −238 degrees F.). During the transferring process betweennozzle and receptacle, a portion of LNG may heat up and vaporize intogas. This gas expands to occupy all accessible areas of the nozzle andreceptacle. When the transferring process is complete, a portion of thevaporized gas will remain in the receptacle. When the nozzle iseventually disconnected from the receptacle, this remaining gas ventsinto ambient atmosphere.

CNG may be stored under high pressures. During the transferring processbetween nozzle and receptacle, CNG may expand and occupy all accessibleareas of the nozzle and receptacle. When the transferring process iscomplete, a portion of the gas will remain in the receptacle. When thenozzle is eventually disconnected from the receptacle, this remaininggas vents into ambient atmosphere. Thus, a new receptacle is needed thatreduces the amount of fluid vented into atmosphere when a nozzledisconnects from the receptacle.

FIGS. 1, 1A, and 1B illustrate a prior art receptacle. This receptacle10 has been sold as the Macro Technologies Model 13990. Receptacle 10includes a body 1 having a flange 6 and terminating in a fitting 8. Apoppet 2 is slidably disposed in body 1. A retainer 4 is held thereon byretaining ring 3, and a seal 5 is mounted to poppet 2. Spring 7 is alsodisposed inside body 1 and provides a spring force against poppet 2.Such receptacles are used with a nozzle (also called a coupler), asshown in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,194,524, the teachings of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a receptacle for conveying fluid. With respect to prior artreceptacles, the disclosed receptacles may vent less fluid and be easierto service. The receptacle may include a main body, a valve seatassembly, a poppet, a spring retainer, and a spring. The valve seatassembly may comprise a valve seat body and a packing. The valve seatbody may be disposed in and secured to the main body. The valve seatbody may include: a first end and an opposing second end. The first endmay include a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an innerannular groove. The valve seat body may include a plurality of secondinner surfaces defining an inner void. The plurality of second innersurfaces may include one or more arced surfaces and one or more flats.The packing, which may be referenced as a seal, may be disposed in theinner annular groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectioned plan view of a prior artreceptacle. FIG. 1A is a top plan view of the prior art receptacle. FIG.1B is a rear end view of the prior art receptacle.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a receptacle in accordance with theteachings herein.

FIG. 3 is an isometric cross sectional view of the receptacle.

FIG. 4 is cross sectional view of a body of the receptacle.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a valve seat of the receptacle.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the valve seat and schematicallyillustrates a poppet of the receptacle and representative fluid flow.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional bottom view of an inner perimeter of thevalve seat taken along the line FIG. 7-FIG. 7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross sectional bottom view of a second embodimentof the inner perimeter.

FIG. 9 is a schematic partial cross sectional bottom view of a thirdembodiment of the inner perimeter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is defined by the appended claims. The descriptionsummarizes aspects of some disclosed embodiments and should not be usedto limit the claims. Other embodiments are contemplated in accordancewith the techniques described herein, as will be apparent uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description, and suchembodiments are within the scope of this application.

For a better understanding of the disclosure, reference may be made toembodiments shown in the drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, and related elements may be omitted so as toemphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features described herein. Inaddition, system components can be variously arranged, as known in theart. In the figures, like referenced numerals may refer to like partsthroughout the different figures unless otherwise specified.

While the features, methods, devices, and systems described herein maybe embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and willhereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments.Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may berequired, however, and some implementations may include additional,different, or fewer components from those expressly described in thisdisclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components maybe made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as setforth herein. This specification is intended to be taken as a whole andinterpreted in accordance with the principles of the invention as taughtherein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Some features may be described using relative terms such as top, bottom,vertical, rightward, leftward, etc. It should be appreciated that suchrelative terms are only for reference with respect to the appendedFigures. These relative terms are not meant to limit the disclosedembodiments. More specifically, it is contemplated that the valvesdepicted in the appended Figures will be oriented in various directionsin practice and that the relative orientation of features will changeaccordingly.

FIGS. 2 to 6 illustrate an exemplary receptacle 100. Receptacle 100includes a housing 110, valve seat assembly, a poppet or valve seatengager 130, a spring 140, and a spring retainer 150. The valve seatassembly includes a valve seat body 120, a first O-ring or packing 121,and a second O-ring or packing 123. During operation, a nozzle (notshown) may be placed over and around a first portion of body 110adjacent inlet port 110 a. The nozzle may include a poppet, similar topoppet 130, but oriented in the opposite direction (i.e., flipped 180degrees). The nozzle poppet may contact the surface 131 a of poppet 130,causing poppet 130 to slide toward outlet port 110 b and disengage fromvalve seat body 120, thus opening receptacle 100.

After the nozzle is engaged and opened, fluid flows between valve seatbody 120 and poppet 130, between body 110 and spring 140, through holesdefined in spring retainer 150 and exits through outlet port 110 b intoa tank (not shown). Engagement between a nozzle and a receptacle isshown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/368,360, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 illustrate an exemplary body 110 (also referred to asa “main body”) of receptacle 100. Body 110 defines an inlet port or void110 a, an outlet port or void 110 b, and radial venting holes 110 c.Body 110 includes an annular recess 111, a radially extending flange 112defining a plurality of cylindrical holes 112 a, a threaded end fitting113, a cylindrical inner surface 114, a partially conical seatingsurface 115, inner threads 116, and a step 117.

Annular recess 111 is configured to receive inwardly protruding ballbearings (not shown) connected to the nozzle (not shown). Morespecifically, a user covers annular recess 111 with the nozzle, whichhas springs or other members that inwardly bias the ball bearings. Whenthe ball bearings are positioned over annular recess 111, the userreleases a sleeve (not shown) retaining the ball bearings, enabling theball bearings to occupy annular recess 111. While the ball bearingsoccupy annular recess 111, the nozzle is fixed to receptacle 100, thuspreventing an unintended disconnection between the nozzle and receptacle100.

When the user is finished, the user retracts the ball bearings and pullsthe nozzle to away from receptacle 100 until the nozzle no longer coversreceptacle 100. Example of ball bearings of a nozzle engaging areceptacle are shown in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,194,524 toKonishi and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0312939 to Konishi, both ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Radially extending flange 112 has an outer diameter exceeding an innerdiameter of the nozzle. Radially extending flange 112 thus prevents auser from covering too much of receptacle 100 with the nozzle (i.e.,extending body 110 too far into the nozzle). Clips extending from thenozzle may engage holes 112 a, further locking the nozzle with respectto receptacle 100. Threaded end fitting 113 may connect to a threadedconduit (not shown). The threaded conduit may deliver fluid leavingreceptacle via outlet port 110 b to a tank (not shown). Alternatively,threaded end fitting 113 may directly connect to the tank.

Cylindrical inner surface 114 is generally smooth and configured toengage an O-ring or packing located about an outer diameter of aninwardly protruding member of the nozzle. More specifically, once a userhas fixed the nozzle to receptacle 100, the user may slide the inwardlyprotruding member into inlet port 110 a. The inwardly protruding memberincludes a cylindrical valve seat body somewhat similar to valve seatbody 120, but facing in the opposite direction. An O-ring or packing ofthe inwardly protruding member slides along and compresses againstcylindrical inner surface 114. This O-ring or packing prevents fluidfrom flowing backwards (i.e., to the left in FIG. 2) and escaping intoambient atmosphere via inlet port 110 a and/or venting holes 110 c.

Partially conical seating surface 115, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,compresses first O-ring or packing 121 against valve seat body 120. Byvirtue of this compression, first O-ring or packing 121 prevents fluidlocated on the tank side of valve seat body 120 (e.g., fluid near spring140) from leaking between body 110 and valve seat body 120 whenreceptacle 100 is closed.

Inner threads 116 engage outer threads 126 of valve seat body 120, thussecuring valve seat body 120 with respect to body 110. Step 117 servesas a stop for spring retainer 150. More specifically, step 117 preventsspring 140 from pushing spring retainer 150 toward threaded end fitting113.

FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6 illustrate an exemplary valve seat body 120. FIG. 6includes the same view of valve seat body 120 as FIG. 5 and furtherincludes schematic representations of debris D having a momentum vectorM, fluid flow F, and poppet 130. Valve seat body 120 includes outersurfaces 122 surrounding first O-ring or packing 121, first innersurfaces 124 surrounding second O-ring or packing 123, second innersurfaces defining a central void, outer threads 126. The second innersurfaces include flats 125. Valve seat body 120 includes a first endportion 120 x with an inner annular groove for receiving inner packing123 and a second opposing end portion 120 y with an outer annular groovefor receiving outer packing 121.

As previously discussed, packing 121 is compressed between body 110 andvalve seat body 120 to prevent fluid leakage between body 110 and valveseat body 120. More specifically, packing 121 is compressed between (a)cylindrical inner surface 114 of body 110 (b) partially conical seatingsurface 115 of body 110, (c) a ring-shaped first outer ledge surface 122a of valve seat body 120, (d) a cylindrical outer surface 122 b of valveseat body 120, and (e) an opposing ring-shaped second outer ledgesurface 122 c of valve seat body 120.

Surfaces 122 a, 122 b, 122 c (also referred to as outer surfaces)cooperate to define the outer annular groove for receiving outer packing121. When viewed in cross section, as shown in FIG. 5, surfaces 122 aand 122 c may be parallel and perpendicular to surface 122 b. Surface122 a may have an outer diameter exceeding an outer diameter of surface122 c. Packing 121 may have a flat first surface matching surface 122 a,a flat second surface 122 b matching surface 122 b, and an arced outersurface 121 a. Packing 121 may be sized and configured for aninterference fit inside of the annular groove defined by surfaces 122 a,122 b, 122 c.

Second O-ring or packing 123 is fixed, via compression, inside of theinner annular groove defined in valve seat body 120. When receptacle 100is closed, poppet 130 seals against inner packing 123, thus preventingfluid downstream of valve seat body 120 (e.g., fluid near spring 140)from flowing between poppet 130 and valve seat body 120 and escapingreceptacle via inlet port 110 a and/or vent holes 110 c.

As stated above, valve seat body 120 includes first inner surfacesdefining an inner annular groove at first end portion 120 x in whichinner packing 123 is disposed. These first inner surfaces 124 a to 124 finclude, a cylindrical inner surface 124 a and inner surfaces 124 b, acylindrical inner surface 124 c, a ring-sixth inner surface 124 d, acylindrical inner surface 124 e, and a ring-shaped inner surface 124 f.Surfaces 124 b define a minor annular inner groove. This annular grooveor pocket is L-shaped when viewed in cross section, as shown in FIGS. 5and 6.

Surfaces 124 a to 124 f are also referred to as first inner surfaces.Surface 124 d is also referred to as a first wall, surface 124 c is alsoreferred to as a second wall, surface 124 e is also referred to as athird wall. Surfaces 124 b are also referred to as fourth, fifth, andsixth walls.

Inner packing 123 may be sized and configured for an interference fitinside the annular inner groove or pocket defined by surfaces 124 a to124 e. Such an interference fit binds inner packing 123 in place withrespect to valve seat body 120. More specifically, the portion of innerpacking 123 located between surfaces 124 c and 124 e may be wider thanthe radial distance between surfaces 124 c and 124 e. As a result,surfaces 124 c and 124 e discourage packing 123 from moving radially(e.g., toward poppet 130) with respect to valve seat body 120. Surfaces124 d and 124 f push packing 123 toward spring 140. Surfaces 124 bcounter the force exerted by surfaces 124 d and 124 f. Thus, surfaces124 b discourage packing 123 from moving longitudinally (e.g., towardspring 140).

Inner packing 123 includes a cylindrical outer surface 123 a, apartially conical outer surface 123 b, and a ring-shaped outer surface124 b. As shown in FIG. 1, when receptacle 100 is closed, sealingsurface 132 of poppet 130 bears against surfaces 123 b and/or 123 c ofinner packing 123. As shown in FIG. 5, inner packing thus includes afirst ring-shaped and annular portion 123 d contacting surfaces 124 c,124 d, 124 e of valve seat body 120 and a second ring-shaped and annularportion 123 e contacting surfaces 124 b of valve seat body 120.

As shown in FIG. 3, and as discussed below, flats 125 (also called toolor teeth engagers) enable a user to unscrew valve seat body 120 frombody 110 through inlet port 110 a. As shown in FIG. 7, each flat 125includes two flat portions or surfaces 120 c intersecting 120 f at anacute angle. As a result, and as shown in FIG. 6, valve seat body 120defines a first inner perimeter 120 a and a second inner perimeter 120b. First inner perimeter 120 a, as shown schematically in FIG. 7,includes arced portions 120 d (also called connecting portions) betweenflats 125. Arced portions 120 d meet flats 125 at edges 120 e. Edges 120e may be parallel with longitudinal axis L.

Although six flats 125 are shown, any number may be present as may bedictated by size and other engineering considerations. Flats 125 may belocated at regular and equal intervals in the first inner perimeter 120a, such that each of the arced portions 120 d have an identicalcurvature and length and each of the flats 125 have an identical lengthand surface area. In contrast, second inner perimeter 120 b is circular.FIG. 7 shows a radius R extending between a longitudinal axis of valveseat body 120 (which may be collinear with longitudinal axis L ofreceptacle 100) and one of the arced portions 120 d. This radius R maybe a minimum inner radius of valve seat body 120, such that every otherradius between the longitudinal axis of valve seat body 120 and one ofthe second inner surfaces of valve seat body 120 is greater than orequal to radius R.

First inner perimeter 120 a may have any custom shape except a circle.As schematically shown in FIG. 8, first inner perimeter 120 a may be apolygon. Connecting portion 120 d meet flats 120 c along edges 120 e.Flats 120 c meet at intersections 120 f. Although tool engagers 125 havebeen described as flats, with reference to FIG. 9, tool engagers 125 maycomprise two arced surfaces 120 c meeting connecting portions 120 d atedges 120 e.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, poppet 130 includes a first cylindricalpost 131, a partially conical sealing surface 132, a spring ledge 133, astopping surface 134, and a second cylindrical post 135. First post 131includes a circular nozzle engaging surface 131 a.

As stated above, the nozzle includes an inwardly protruding member. Theinwardly protruding member may include the nozzle poppet, which includesa circular receptacle engaging surface similar to, but facing, circularnozzle engaging surface 131 a. As the inwardly protruding member slidesinto receptacle 100, the circular receptacle engaging surface of thenozzle contacts and bears against circular nozzle engaging surface 131 aof receptacle 100.

The nozzle poppet pushes poppet 130 away from valve seat body 120. Whenpoppet 130 is pushed away from valve seat body 120, poppet 130disengages from inner packing 123, thus opening receptacle 100.Eventually, poppet 130 stops against spring retainer 150. The usercontinues to push the inwardly protruding member toward outlet port 110b. Because poppet 130 can no longer move further toward spring retainer150, poppet 130 applies an opposing counter force against the nozzlepoppet. This counter force causes the nozzle poppet to disengage from anozzle sealing surface (e.g., a valve seat body or a packing), thusopening the nozzle.

At this point, fluid flows between poppet 130 and inner packing 123,past spring 140, through holes defined in spring retainer 150, and outof receptacle 100 via outlet port 110 b. It should be appreciated thatthe order of this process may be switched, such that poppet 130 opensthe nozzle poppet until the nozzle poppet reaches a stop, which thenforces poppet 130 open.

Partially conical sealing surface 132 is configured to compress innerpacking 123 against valve seat body 120, thus generating a fluid tightseal. Spring ledge 133 is ring-shaped and receives one end of spring140. Spring ledge has an outer diameter exceeding an outer diameter ofspring 140. Stopping surface 134 is a ring-shaped ledge and isconfigured to contact spring retainer 150. Second post 135 slides withina longitudinally extending void defined in spring retainer 150. Secondpost 135 aligns poppet 130 with respect to longitudinal axis L.

Spring 140 is helically coiled and rests between poppet 130 and springretainer 150. Spring 140 biases poppet 130 toward compressive contactwith inner packing 123. The force exerted by the nozzle poppet opposesthe biasing force of spring 140, enabling poppet 130 to slide towardoutlet port 110 b.

Spring retainer 150 defines a plurality of holes (not shown) forenabling fluid passage toward outlet 110 b. Alternatively or inaddition, poppet 130 may include one or more voids defined in secondpost 135 for achieving the same objective. Spring retainer 150 includesa ring-shaped stopping surface 151, a ring shaped seating surface 152,and a circular stopping surface 153. Spring retainer 150 may becylindrical. Spring retainer may be a plurality of ribs inwardlyradially extending from main body 110. As such, the plurality of holesdefined in spring retainer 150 may be gaps defined between adjacentribs.

Ring-shaped stopping surface 151 arrests movement of poppet 130 towardoutlet port 110 b by contacting poppet stopping surface 134. One end ofspring 140 bears on seating surface 152. An outer portion of circularstopping surface 153 contacts step 117 of body 110, thus preventingspring 140 from pushing spring retainer 150 toward outlet port 110 b.

The disclosed receptacle 100 offers several advantages over existingreceptacles. For example, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, no surfaces ofvalve seat body 120 discourage outer packing 121 from moving radiallyoutward (e.g., toward body 110). Put differently, the interference fitbetween outer packing 121 and valve seat body 120 squeezes outer packing121 radially outward and toward inner surfaces 114 and 115 of body 110.As a result, outer packing 121 firmly engages inner surfaces 114 and 115of body 110, resulting in a quality seal and a reduction in venting offluid past valve seat body 120 into atmosphere.

Furthermore, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, outer surfaces 123 a, 123 b,and 123 c do not perpendicularly intersect the flow direction ofupstream fluid in receptacle 100, or at least directly upstream fluid inreceptacle 100, when receptacle 100 is open. More specifically, whenreceptacle 100 is open, fluid generally travels parallel to outersurface 123 b of inner packing 123. This is advantageous because fluidflow through receptacle 100 may include debris (e.g., dirt). Since outersurfaces 123 a, 123 b, 123 c do not perpendicularly intersect the flowdirection of upstream fluid, debris will be carried, under its ownmomentum, past inner packing 123. If outer surfaces 123 a, 123 b, 123 cdid perpendicularly intersect to the flow direction of upstream fluid,then momentum of the debris could cause the debris to collide withsurfaces 123 a, 123 b, 123 c, thus impairing the seal quality betweenpoppet 130 and inner packing 123 and increasing the venting of fluidfrom within receptacle 100, past valve seat body 120, and intoatmosphere.

As shown in FIG. 6, debris D has a momentum vector M. Because fluid flowupstream of inner packing 123 does not perpendicularly intersect outersurfaces 123 a, 123 b, or 123 c, the momentum vector does not intersectouter surfaces 123 a, 123 b, or 123 c, thus reducing the possibility ofcollision between debris D and inner packing 123.

Additionally, the unique L-shaped geometry of inner packing 123 enablesvalve seat body 120 to hold inner packing 123 in place, whilecompressing inner packing 123 radially inward and into contact withpoppet 130. As a result, venting of fluid is discouraged.

As a further example, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, flats 125 areexposed via inlet port 110 a. Put differently, no portion of receptacle100 covers flats 125. As a result, a user may access and remove allcomponents inside body 110 via inlet port 110 a. More specifically, theuser may engage flats 125 with a tool and twist to un-thread valve seatbody 120 from body 110. Once valve seat body 120 has been unthreaded,the user may reach through port 110 a and remove valve seat body 120,packings 121, 123, poppet 130, spring 140, and spring retainer 150.

The user may reinstall the internal components in a similar fashion.More specifically, the user may insert spring retainer 150 until springretainer 150 stops against step 117 of body 110. The user may placespring around 140 around the protruding portion 154 of spring retainer150. The user may position poppet 130 partially inside of springretainer 150. The user may replace one or both of the packings 121, 123,and insert valve seat body 120 into body 110. With the same tool, theuser may engage flats 125 to thread valve seat body 120 into body 110.

To facilitate assembly and disassembly of receptacle 100, valve seatbody 120, poppet 130, spring 140, spring retainer 150, outer packing121, and inner packing 123, upon assembly, may all have a maximum outerdiameter less than or equal to a minimum inner diameter of inlet port110 a. It should be appreciated, however that upon disassembly, packings121, 123 may expand to have a maximum outer diameter greater than theminimum inner diameter of inlet port 110 a.

Furthermore, body 110 may be made of a first material (e.g., stainlesssteel), valve seat body 120 may be made of a second material (e.g.,brass), and packings 121, 123 made me made of a third material (e.g.,molded plastic). The second material may have a greater coefficient ofthermal expansion than the first material. The third material may have agreater coefficient of thermal expansion than the second material. As aresult, when receptacle 100 is subject to cryogenic temperatures, valveseat body 120 may shrink to a greater extent than body 110. Packings121, 123 may shrink to a greater extent than valve seat body 120.Because outer packing 121 is radially outwardly biased by valve seatbody 120, when valve seat body 120 shrinks, valve seat body 120 willcontinue to compress outer packing 121, thus ensuring that outer packing121 continues to seal against body 110. As a result, venting of fluid isdiscouraged.

The above-discussed advantages are not the only advantages of thedisclosed embodiments. Other advantages should be apparent after readingthe above detailed description.

It should thus be appreciated that the present application discloses areceptacle for conveying fluid. The receptacle may include a body, avalve seat assembly, a poppet, a spring retainer, and a spring. The bodymay define an inlet port and an outlet port. The valve seat assembly maycomprise a valve seat body and a packing. The valve seat body may bedisposed in and secured to the body.

The valve seat body may include: a first end portion, an opposing secondend portion. The first end portion may include a plurality of firstinner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The valve seat body mayinclude a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner void andcomprising one or more arced surfaces and one or more flats. The poppetmay be disposed in the body.

The spring retainer may be disposed in, and fixed with respect to, thebody. The spring may be disposed between the poppet and the springretainer. The spring may bias the poppet toward the first position. Thepacking may be disposed in the inner annular groove. The poppet may bemoveable between a first position where the poppet is engaged to thepacking and a second position where the poppet is disengaged from thepacking.

At least some of the second inner surfaces may define a first innerperimeter of the inner void and at least some of the second innersurfaces may define a second inner perimeter of the inner void. Each ofthe first and second inner perimeters may occupy planes perpendicular toa reference longitudinal axis of the receptacle, and each of the firstand second inner perimeters may have different geometry.

The first inner perimeter may comprise a plurality of arced portionscorresponding to the one or more arced surfaces and a plurality of flatportions corresponding to the one or more flats.

All of the one or more arced surfaces and all of the one or more flatsmay define the first inner perimeter, and all of the one or more arcedsurfaces, but none of the one or more flats, may define the second innerperimeter.

The first perimeter may be disposed closer to the inlet port than thesecond perimeter.

Each of the flats may comprise two of the plurality of flat portions.The two flat portions of each flat may intersect and each of theintersections may be further from the longitudinal axis of thereceptacle than each of the plurality of arced portions. The secondinner perimeter may be a circle.

The valve seat body may define a reference longitudinal axis and aplurality of radii extending between the longitudinal axis and theplurality of second inner surfaces.

A first radius between the longitudinal axis and one of the one or morearced surfaces may be a minimum of the plurality of radii, such thatevery other radius between the longitudinal axis of the valve seat bodyand one of the second inner surfaces of the valve seat body is greaterthan or equal to the first radius.

Each of the valve seat body, the poppet, the spring retainer, thepacking, and the spring may have a maximum outer diameter less than orequal to a minimum inner diameter of the inlet port.

Each of the valve seat body, poppet, spring retainer, spring, andpacking may be removable from the body via the inlet port withoutdisassembling the body and without damaging or deforming any portion ofeach of the body, the valve seat body, the poppet, the spring retainer,the spring, and the packing.

It should thus be appreciated that the present application discloses areceptacle for conveying fluid. The receptacle may comprise a body, avalve seat assembly, a poppet, a spring retainer, and a spring. Thevalve seat assembly may comprise a valve seat body, an outer packing,and an inner packing. The body may define an inlet port and an outletport.

The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the body. Thevalve seat body may comprise: a first end portion and an opposing secondend portion. The first end portion may comprise a plurality of firstinner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The plurality of firstinner surfaces may comprise a first wall, a second wall perpendicularlyintersecting one end of the first wall, and a third wall perpendicularlyintersecting an opposing end of the first wall.

The opposing second end portion may define an outer annular groove. Thevalve seat body may comprise one or more second inner surfaces definingan inner void. The poppet may be disposed in the body; The springretainer may be disposed in, and fixed with respect to, the body. Thespring may be disposed between the poppet and the spring retainer. Thespring may bias the poppet toward the first position.

The outer packing may be disposed in the outer annular groove. The outerpacking may contact one or more inner surfaces of the body and one ormore outer surfaces of the valve seat body. The inner packing may bedisposed in the inner annular groove.

The poppet may be moveable between a first position where the poppet isengaged to the inner packing and a second position where the poppet isdisengaged from the inner packing. The inner packing may comprise afirst ring-shaped and annular portion contacting the first wall, thesecond wall, and the third wall.

The plurality of first inner surfaces may comprise a fourth wall, afifth wall, and a sixth wall. The fifth wall may perpendicularlyintersect one end of the fourth wall and the sixth wall mayperpendicularly intersect another end of the fourth wall.

A reference segment tangent to the fourth wall may perpendicularlyintersect a reference plane coplanar with the first wall. The first,second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth walls may be annular and incontact with the inner packing. The plurality of first inner surfacesmay comprise a seventh wall and the inner packing contacts the seventhwall.

The inner packing may comprise an inwardly facing portion. The inwardlyfacing portion may comprise three different packing surfaces. None ofthe three different packing surfaces may contact the valve seat body.The three different packing surfaces may comprise a first cylindricalsurface, a second partially conical surface, and a third cylindricalsurface.

It should thus be appreciated that the present application discloses areceptacle for conveying fluid. The receptacle may comprise: a body, avalve assembly, a poppet, a spring retainer, and a spring. The valveseat assembly may comprise a valve seat body, an outer packing, and aninner packing. The body may define an inlet port and an outlet port.

The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the body. Thevalve seat body may comprise: a first end portion and an opposing secondend portion. The first end portion may comprise a plurality of firstinner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The plurality of firstinner surfaces may comprise four different first inner surfaces. Theopposing second end portion may define an outer annular groove. Thevalve seat body may comprise one or more second inner surfaces definingan inner void.

The poppet may be disposed in the body. The spring retainer may bedisposed in and fixed with respect to the body. The spring may bedisposed between the poppet and the spring retainer. The spring may biasthe poppet toward the first position.

The outer packing may be disposed in the outer annular groove. The outerpacking may contact one or more inner surfaces of the body and one ormore outer surfaces of the valve seat body. The inner packing may bedisposed in the inner annular groove.

The poppet may be moveable between a first position where the poppet isengaged to the inner packing and a second position where the poppet isdisengaged from the inner packing. The inner packing may contact each ofthe four different first inner surfaces.

The plurality of first inner surfaces may comprise six different firstinner surfaces. The six different first inner surfaces may comprise thefour different first inner surfaces. The inner packing may contact eachof the six different first inner surfaces.

The poppet may comprise a flat upper surface. The flat upper surface maybe closer to the inlet port than any other surfaces of the poppet. Thevalve seat body may be disposed closer to the inlet port than the springretainer.

The spring retainer may comprise one or more stopping surfaces facingthe inlet port. The poppet may engage with the one or more stoppingsurfaces when the poppet is in the second position. The poppet may bedisengaged from the one or more stopping surfaces when the poppet is inthe first position.

The body may comprise an inner ledge. The spring retainer may be fixedwith respect to the body by virtue of being compressed by the springagainst the inner ledge.

Each of the valve seat body, the poppet, the spring retainer, spring,the outer packing, and the inner packing may have a maximum outerdiameter less than or equal to a minimum inner diameter of the inletport.

Each of the valve seat body, poppet, spring retainer, spring, outerpacking, and inner packing may be removable from the body via the inletport without disassembling the body and without damaging or deformingany portion of each of the body, the valve seat body, the poppet, thespring retainer, the spring, the outer packing, and the inner packing.

The one or more inner surfaces of the body contacting the outer packingmay comprise a cylindrical inner surface and a partially conical innersurface.

It should thus be appreciated that the present application discloses areceptacle for conveying fluid. The receptacle may comprise a body, avalve seat assembly, a poppet, a spring retainer, and a spring. Thevalve seat assembly may comprise a valve seat body, an outer packing,and an inner packing. The body may define an inlet port and an outletport.

The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the body. Thevalve seat body may comprise a first end portion and an opposing secondend portion. The first end portion may define an inner annular grooveand the second end portion may define an outer annular groove. The valveseat body may comprise one or more inner surfaces defining an innervoid.

The poppet may be disposed in the body. The spring retainer may bedisposed in, and fixed with respect to, the body. The spring may bedisposed between the poppet and the spring retainer. The spring may biasthe poppet toward the first position.

The outer packing may be disposed in the outer annular groove. The outerpacking may contact one or more inner surfaces of the body and one ormore outer surfaces of the valve seat body. The inner packing may bedisposed in the inner annular groove.

The poppet may be moveable between a first position where the poppet isengaged to the inner packing and a second position where the poppet isdisengaged from the inner packing. The inner packing may have anL-shaped cross section.

It should thus be appreciated that the present application discloses areceptacle for conveying fluid. The receptacle may comprise a body, avalve seat assembly, a poppet, a spring retainer, and a spring. Thevalve seat assembly may comprise a valve seat body, an outer packing,and an inner packing. The body may define an inlet port and an outletport.

The valve seat body may be disposed in and secured to the body. Thevalve seat body may comprise: a first end portion and an opposing secondend portion. The first end portion may comprise a plurality of firstinner surfaces defining an inner annular groove. The plurality of firstinner surfaces may comprise four different first inner surfaces. Thefour different first inner surfaces may comprise a first wall, a secondwall perpendicularly intersecting one end of the first wall, and a thirdwall perpendicularly intersecting an opposing end of the first wall.

The opposing second end portion may define an outer annular groove. Thevalve seat body may comprise a plurality of second inner surfacesdefining an inner void. The second inner surfaces may comprise one ormore arced surfaces and one or more flats.

The poppet may be disposed in the body. The spring retainer may bedisposed in and fixed with respect to the body. The spring may bedisposed between the poppet and the spring retainer.

The outer packing may be disposed in the outer annular groove. The outerpacking may contact one or more inner surfaces of the body and one ormore outer surfaces of the valve seat body.

The inner packing may be disposed in the inner annular groove. The innerpacking may comprise an L-shaped cross section. The poppet may bemoveable between a first position where the poppet is engaged to theinner packing and a second position where the poppet is disengaged fromthe inner packing. The inner packing may comprise a first ring-shapedand annular portion contacting the first wall, the second wall, and thethird wall. The inner packing may contact each of the four differentfirst inner surfaces.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, theparticular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only andnot limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given thefull breadth of the appended claims and any equivalent thereof.

It should be appreciated that the term “diameter” when used in theclaims, does not necessarily mean that the feature having the diameteris circular. Instead, the term diameter should be understood to at leastencompass a maximum straight distance between two opposing outersurfaces of the feature. For example, a square could have an outerdiameter extending between opposing corners.

It should be appreciated that when the claims recite features that arefixed or connected to each other, such features may be integral ornon-integral.

What is claimed is:
 1. A receptacle for conveying fluid, the receptaclecomprising: a main body defining an inlet port and an outlet port; avalve seat assembly comprising: (a) a valve seat body disposed in andsecured to the main body, the valve seat body comprising: a first endportion and an opposing second end portion, the first end portioncomprising a plurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annulargroove; and a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner voidand comprising one or more teeth engagers for engaging a tool havingoutwardly protruding teeth; (b) a packing disposed in the inner annulargroove; a poppet disposed in the main body and moveable between a firstposition where the poppet is engaged to the packing and a secondposition where the poppet is disengaged from the packing; a springretainer disposed in, and fixed with respect to, the main body; a springdisposed between the poppet and the spring retainer, the spring biasingthe poppet toward the first position.
 2. The receptacle of claim 1,wherein at least some of the second inner surfaces define a first innerperimeter of the inner void and at least some of the second innersurfaces define a second inner perimeter of the inner void, each of thefirst and second inner perimeters occupying planes perpendicular to areference longitudinal axis of the receptacle, and each of the first andsecond inner perimeters having different geometric shapes.
 3. Thereceptacle of claim 2, wherein the plurality of second inner surfacesdefining the inner void comprise one or more connecting surfaces, theone or more connecting surfaces meeting the one or more teeth engagersat edges; wherein the first inner perimeter comprises a plurality ofconnecting portions and a plurality of teeth engager portions, theplurality of connecting portions corresponding to the one or moreconnecting surfaces, the plurality of teeth engaging portionscorresponding to the one or more teeth engagers.
 4. The receptacle ofclaim 3, wherein the one or more teeth engagers are one or more flats,the one or more teeth engager portions are one or more flat portions,all of the one or more connecting surfaces and all of the one or moreflats define the first inner perimeter, and all of the one or moreconnecting surfaces, but none of the one or more flats, define thesecond inner perimeter; wherein the packing comprises an L-shaped crosssection.
 5. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the first perimeter isdisposed closer to the inlet port than the second perimeter; whereineach of the flats comprise two of the plurality of flat portions, thetwo flat portions of each flat intersecting and each of theintersections are further from the longitudinal axis of the receptaclethan each of the plurality of connecting portions.
 6. The receptacle ofclaim 5, wherein the plurality of connecting surfaces are arcedsurfaces, the plurality of connection portions are arced portions, andthe second inner perimeter is a circle; wherein the valve seat bodydefines a reference longitudinal axis and a plurality of radii extendingbetween the longitudinal axis and the plurality of second innersurfaces; and wherein a first radius between the longitudinal axis andone of the one or more arced surfaces is a minimum of the plurality ofradii, such that every other radius between the longitudinal axis of thevalve seat body and one of the second inner surfaces of the valve seatbody is greater than or equal to the first radius.
 7. The receptacle ofclaim 1, wherein each of the valve seat body, the poppet, the springretainer, the packing, and the spring have a maximum outer diameter lessthan or equal to a minimum inner diameter of the inlet port; and whereineach of the valve seat body, the poppet, the spring retainer, thespring, and the packing are removable from the main body via the inletport without disassembling the body and without damaging or deformingany portion of each of the main body, the valve seat body, the poppet,the spring retainer, the spring, and the packing.
 8. A receptacle forconveying fluid, the receptacle comprising: a main body defining aninlet port and an outlet port; a valve seat assembly comprising: (a) avalve seat body disposed in and secured to the main body, the valve seatbody comprising: a first end portion comprising a plurality of firstinner surfaces defining an inner annular groove, the plurality of firstinner surfaces comprising a first wall, a second wall perpendicularlyintersecting one end of the first wall, and a third wall perpendicularlyintersecting an opposing end of the first wall; an opposing second endportion defining an outer annular groove; and one or more second innersurfaces defining an inner void; (b) an outer packing disposed in theouter annular groove, the outer packing contacting one or more innersurfaces of the main body and one or more outer surfaces of the valveseat body; and (c) an inner packing disposed in the inner annular grooveand comprising a first ring-shaped and annular portion contacting thefirst wall, the second wall, and the third wall; a poppet disposed inthe main body and moveable between a first position where the poppet isengaged to the inner packing and a second position where the poppet isdisengaged from the inner packing; a spring retainer disposed in, andfixed with respect to, the main body; and a spring disposed between thepoppet and the spring retainer, the spring biasing the poppet toward thefirst position.
 9. The receptacle of claim 8, wherein the plurality offirst inner surfaces comprises a fourth wall, a fifth wall, and a sixthwall, the fifth wall perpendicularly intersecting one end of the fourthwall and the sixth wall perpendicularly intersecting another end of thefourth wall.
 10. The receptacle of claim 9, wherein a reference segmenttangent to the fourth wall perpendicularly intersects a reference planecoplanar with the first wall.
 11. The receptacle of claim 10, whereinthe first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth walls are annular andin contact with the inner packing.
 12. The receptacle of claim 11,wherein the plurality of first inner surfaces comprises a seventh walland the inner packing contacts the seventh wall.
 13. The receptacle ofclaim 11, wherein the inner packing comprises an inwardly facingportion, the inwardly facing portion comprising three different packingsurfaces, wherein none of the three different packing surfaces contactthe valve seat body.
 14. The receptacle of claim 13, wherein the threedifferent packing surfaces comprise a first cylindrical surface, asecond partially conical surface, and a third cylindrical surface.
 15. Areceptacle for conveying fluid, the receptacle comprising: a main bodydefining an inlet port and an outlet port; a valve seat assemblycomprising: (a) a valve seat body disposed in and secured to the mainbody, the valve seat body comprising: a first end portion comprising aplurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove, theplurality of first inner surfaces comprising four different first innersurfaces; an opposing second end portion defining an outer annulargroove; and one or more second inner surfaces defining an inner void;(b) an outer packing disposed in the outer annular groove, the outerpacking contacting one or more inner surfaces of the main body and oneor more outer surfaces of the valve seat body; and (c) an inner packingdisposed in the inner annular groove and contacting each of the fourfirst different inner surfaces; a poppet disposed in the main body andmoveable between a first position where the poppet is engaged to theinner packing and a second position where the poppet is disengaged fromthe inner packing; a spring retainer disposed in and fixed with respectto the main body; and a spring disposed between the poppet and thespring retainer, the spring biasing the poppet toward the firstposition.
 16. The receptacle of claim 15, wherein the plurality of firstinner surfaces comprises six different first inner surfaces, the sixdifferent first inner surfaces comprising the four different first innersurfaces, the inner packing contacting each of the six different firstinner surfaces.
 17. The receptacle of claim 16, wherein the poppetcomprises a flat upper surface, the flat upper surface being closer tothe inlet port than any other surfaces of the poppet, the valve seatbody being disposed closer to the inlet port than the spring retainer.18. The receptacle of claim 17, wherein the spring retainer comprisesone or more stopping surfaces facing the inlet port and the poppet isengaged with the one or more stopping surfaces when the poppet is in thesecond position and the poppet is disengaged from the one or morestopping surfaces when the poppet is in the first position.
 19. Thereceptacle of claim 18, wherein (a) the main body comprises an innerledge and the spring retainer is fixed with respect to the main body byvirtue of being compressed by the spring against the inner ledge or (b)the spring retainer is integral with the body.
 20. The receptacle ofclaim 15, wherein each of the valve seat body, the poppet, the springretainer, the spring, the outer packing, and the inner packing have amaximum outer diameter less than or equal to a minimum inner diameter ofthe inlet port.
 21. The receptacle of claim 15, wherein each of thevalve seat body, the poppet, the spring retainer, the spring, the outerpacking, and the inner packing are removable from the main body via theinlet port without disassembling the main body and without damaging ordeforming any portion of each of the main body, the valve seat body, thepoppet, the spring retainer, the spring, the outer packing, and theinner packing.
 22. The receptacle of claim 15, wherein the one or moreinner surfaces of the main body contacting the outer packing comprise acylindrical inner surface and a partially conical inner surface.
 23. Areceptacle for conveying fluid, the receptacle comprising: a main bodydefining an inlet port and an outlet port; a valve seat assemblycomprising: (a) a valve seat body disposed in and secured to the mainbody, the valve seat body comprising: a first end portion comprising aplurality of first inner surfaces defining an inner annular groove, theplurality of first inner surfaces comprising four different first innersurfaces, the four different first inner surfaces comprising a firstwall, a second wall perpendicularly intersecting one end of the firstwall, and a third wall perpendicularly intersecting an opposing end ofthe first wall; an opposing second end portion defining an outer annulargroove; and a plurality of second inner surfaces defining an inner voidand comprising one or more connecting surfaces and one or more teethengagers for engaging a tool having outwardly protruding teeth, each ofthe connecting surfaces meeting at two of the one or more teeth engagersat two edges; (b) an outer packing disposed in the outer annular groove,the outer packing contacting one or more inner surfaces of the main bodyand one or more outer surfaces of the valve seat body; and (c) an innerpacking disposed in the inner annular groove, the inner packingcomprising an L-shaped cross section; a poppet disposed in the main bodyand moveable between a first position where the poppet is engaged to theinner packing and a second position where the poppet is disengaged fromthe inner packing; a spring retainer disposed in and fixed with respectto the main body; and a spring disposed between the poppet and thespring retainer, the spring biasing the poppet toward the firstposition; wherein the inner packing comprises a first ring-shaped andannular portion contacting the first wall, the second wall, and thethird wall; and wherein the inner packing contacts each of the fourdifferent first inner surfaces.